Contemplation in Action

by Richard Rohr

Where else can you find spiritual inspiration from Richard Rohr, Edwina Gateley, Thomas Keating, Basil Pennington, Paula D'Arcy, and others in one accessible volume? This book, designed for bedside devotion, offers the best of Richard Rohr's Radical Grace newsletter, published by Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation.

Genres: Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been trying to read books on my shelves for a while that I had not yet read. The thought was to not acquire anymore until I had read what I had! This book has been on my shelves a few years.
It is hard to sum up this book by Richard Rohr, Edwina Gately, Paul D'Arcy, Thomas Keating, Daniel Berrigan and others. Each author takes their own tack. But, it is well worth the read. It challenges us to simplicity, to let go of our ego battles to succeed or to be always right. It calls as to a contemplative gaze, a contemplative stance, and a contemplative pace. It reminds us to look and listen to life, ourselves, others and God that bit more carefully and deeply. It calls us to a measured view and walking on deliberately. This is all delivered by poetry, music, art, prose and many an anecdote.

[Sylvia Jeronimo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection, various voices, different experiences but one thread : Micah 6:8. Of special mention is Part 2 of the book. These essays are beautifully written; each word pure gold, each idea like a song, each writer a poet.

[Ray Timmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much wisdom in this book. One of the most profound quotes I have ever read comes from Thomas Merton, chapter 13 page 105, “If we knew how much God loves us, there would be no sin.”

This is a book worth reading again, and again!

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bit spotty as every collection of essays and poems by a disparate group of people will be but when it is good it is great

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always Roth’s pieces were excellent. The others … not so much.

[Cj Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have a book group and well this is a good book for discussion. We are just getting to the end of it but we have had some very good discussions, especially with the different authors that are included in the book.

[Charles Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any collection of essays I found this book to be hit-and-miss. Some essays were brilliant and thought-provoking, others tedious.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has many essays that are well worth reading. I particularity appreciated the essays by Rohr concerning the prophetic call and the contemplation of the false self.

[Jess Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of essays, some great and provocative, others more mundane.